• Orders Closure Of Satellite Campuses

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced significant changes in the allocation of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) resources, aimed at promoting efficiency and accountability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
 
Speaking at a strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement, held in Lagos, Alausa declared that institutions with less than 2000 students will no longer receive direct intervention funds from TETFund.
 
This move is part of a broader effort to incentivise good behaviour and ensure that resources are directed towards institutions that demonstrate vision, capacity, and adherence to standards.  
 
“Let me sound a note of caution – unchecked institutional expansion and the replication of mandates are no longer acceptable. Institutions must demonstrate responsibility, capacity and adherence to guidelines. Any institution that consistently underperforms in fund utilisation, fails to meet enrollment benchmarks, or violates procurement protocols risks being delisted as a TETFund beneficiary.
 
“This is not punitive; it is a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the intervention framework and ensure equity in resource distribution,” Alausa stated.
 
The minister noted that this year’s intervention cycle is anchored on consolidation and sustainability. 
 
“Priority has been placed on the completion of existing and abandoned projects, infrastructural rehabilitation, and the establishment of innovation hubs and entrepreneurship development centres. Physical infrastructure funds this year are strictly earmarked for the revitalisation of ongoing initiatives, and institutions are urged to utilise these resources responsibly and transparently.” Alausa also called for the consolidation of satellite campuses, citing concerns over resource wastage.
 
“Let’s focus on one campus and build capacity, rather than spreading resources thinly across multiple campuses,” he advised.  The minister emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in the use of TETFund resources, warning that institutions that fail to meet enrollment and performance thresholds or misuse funds may be suspended from future TETFund interventions.
 
He further disclosed that 18 universities will benefit from the Special High Impact Projects (SHIP) aimed at bridging the human resource gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system through targeted educational investments.
 
Besides, he said the government is encouraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to support the long-term sustainability of tertiary institutions.
 
“Whether in hostel construction, innovation parks, or commercial ventures, institutions must cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with the private sector. Government cannot and should not bear the full financial burden of educational development. Autonomy and resourcefulness must define the new era of tertiary education,” Alausa stated.
 
TETFund Executive Secretary, Sunny Echono, echoed the minister’s sentiments, emphasising the Fund’s commitment to enhancing the skills and capacity of academic staff and driving research that contributes directly to national and global challenges.
  
“Research should not only be academic but should contribute directly to national and global challenges,” he stated.